Concrete is a vital part of almost any construction project, but it's also expensive. Often times the price of concrete is not factored into a project upfront, which means that at the end of the project, clients who aren't using all of their concrete will still be charged for it!
Imagine you're having a pool installed. You wouldn't need 10,000 gallons of water to fill it. Nope, your pool guy would order enough water to fill up your pool, and that's it! Concrete work is the same exact way. But why do we see at least 10 yards of concrete poured at a job site when less than 2 yards are necessary? I'm going to let you in on something; you've probably been paying for that excess concrete. Charging by the truckload makes sense, but what if you pay for what actually goes down the chute? Let's talk about how.
Metered concrete, also known as concrete plant on wheels or volumetric concrete mixer as it's commonly referred to in the industry, is a new way to purchase concrete that changes this paradigm. By charging for what you use, clients who once had no incentive to minimize the amount of concrete used are now motivated to do so, which leads to significant cost savings!
HOW METERED CONCRETE WORKS?
Metered concrete is a unique option that concrete suppliers use to help limit excessive concrete usage. In essence, it centers around tracking and limiting how much concrete you get at a pouring site. The idea is to track only what you use, limit excess, and cut off the flow when you have the right amount. It requires a careful understanding of pouring technology and proper cement calculations.
When it comes to concrete, more may not always be better. Metered concrete is a good choice for the consumer who is trying to avoid paying too much for concrete or who is looking to keep their costs within a certain budget. This option also helps to prevent problems with excess concrete waste and will help you figure out and understand what steps you need to take in order to prevent this problem from happening. Fortunately, there are many types of high-quality products which can be delivered on demand.
TYPES OF METERED CONCRETE
Typically, concrete suppliers provide metered concrete in a broad range of different products. For example, there is anything from 3,000 to 5,000 PSI concrete, which provides accurate and high-pressure mixes that should meet your needs. You can also consider flowable fill concrete, which uses a self-leveling method that helps to protect things like underground pipes and backfill areas. All of these types may be adjusted, as well, if you need to change up your paving concept or meter it off more quickly.
Other options include pump mixes, colored concrete, deck coatings, general concrete, and more. These types can be carefully metered to meet your needs, starting by assessing the overall demand of your current cement job and providing the high-quality help needed to minimize unnecessary excess.
The issue of concrete waste is one of the biggest concerns for contractors and property owners seeking to have new concrete installed in a variety of areas. As such, it's important to find a solution that can help minimize this concern while also saving you time and money throughout the process.
While it may seem as though there are a lot of factors to consider when trying to decide which paving service is best for you, many people choose metered concrete because of the number of benefits it comes with. In fact, it's easy to see how this option often provides a convenient and cost-effective approach to concrete paving, while also helping enhance your project in virtually every way possible.
Talk to us to learn more about the different options available to you. We can help you find an option that makes sense for you and show you how to handle the needs of your metered concrete.